I’ve observed reading classes at some KIPP schools that were, to my mind, perhaps even “over-focused” on comprehension, and that you would probably love.

KIPP schools are non-profit. They have special education students – in some cases, more than the district has – they have their parents sign an agreement but they have no consequence if the parent doesn’t follow it. It’s just another tool to help parents understand their expectations.

As for your thoughts re: parent requirements. This is what’s wrong – essentially – with charters. Now, Socrates will assume that oppose charters, which is absolutely untrue. My son graduated from a Charter high school, and I coached there. But it was an urban, largely “walking distance” charter, a non-profit, with lottery admissions. But the majority of charters I see in the Midwest are none of those. They require parent transportation, they divert money to corporate profit and management fees, they strongly discourage special education students. In other words, they sub-divide the student population once more. Now, among those with no cultural capital, schools such as KIPP Academies move to block those children who lack “parental capital.”

Is it progress to divide the underclass and create an American “untouchable” class? KIPP’s backers think so.